William S. Gray, Professor of Education and Dean of the College of Education at the University of Chicago, began work in 1929 on a major revision of the "Elson Readers," a popular basal series published by Scott, Foresman and Company. Organized around the daily life of two ordinary children, the "Dick and Jane" readers…

A study was conducted to determine how well-balanced and accurately the largest ethnic minority groups are portrayed in major contemporary basal reader series. The amount of ethnic minority content by group and by basal series was investigated, as were the qualitative aspects of that content: the locale of the story, the socioeconomic class…

Reading comprehension can be more effectively taught using new instructional frameworks--such as explicit comprehension instruction--rather than the basal reading model. Traditionally, comprehension has been taught through a process of mentioning the skill that students should apply, practicing the skill in workbooks, and assessing student…

The major purpose of this book is to describe the basis, features, and future of the whole language movement. Topics included in the book include: (1) a description of what is known about language and language development; (2) presentation of a whole language perspective on literacy development, involving both reading and writing; (3) presentation…

A study examined the effect of sustained silent reading and writing on the reading achievement, writing, and reading attitude of students reading two or more years below grade level. Subjects, 97 seventh graders and 104 eighth graders enrolled in a semi-rural, predominantly black, lower socioeconomic status, Southeastern school district, were…

To determine the general characteristics of beginning reading materials, to establish categories in regard to concepts and the instruction of concepts, and to search for a common framework among concepts, a study surveyed six popular, widely promoted basal series which had been copyrighted within the past 5 years. For each lesson, the stated…

To examine the interactions between particular reading materials used most frequently with students in grades one through six and beginning reading instructional levels, evaluation system data collection forms were submitted in July 1983 by 1,575 regular classroom teachers representing 125 District of Columbia elementary schools. A total of 18,157…

Forty-six first-grade teachers' manuals and workbooks from three basal reading series published in the 1930s, 1950s, and 1970s were examined for differences in the amount of material devoted to word-attack skills. Word-attack skills were defined as the use of phonic and structural analysis for successfully attacking unrecognized words. Results…

In this monograph research results of studies on the teaching of basic skills in elementary schools is synthesized with emphasis on the practical implications for actual practice in the classroom. Development of skills in reading and mathematics in the early grades is the focus. Four major factors in basic instruction are discussed. The importance…

The American family has undergone many changes in the last 20 years, due to divorce, death, or separation of parents, parents who have never married, and mothers who work. To determine how well school reading materials reflect the changing American family, seven basal reader series for grades four, five, and six were studied. Three random family…

This teacher's manual is designed to help teachers organize primary level reading instruction according to the particular skill being taught and to integrate lessons from several different sources. Skills are suggested for instruction, and directions and examples are given to aid the teacher in selecting lessons from different reading program…

A study was undertaken to investigate the nature of the cohesive features found in the language of selected first grade students and to study and compare the cohesive features of language samples in the beginning level of three widely used reading series to those found in the language of the children for whom they are intended. In the first part…

The purpose of this checklist is to direct the attention of teachers, administrators, and supervisors to the essential features of reading programs. Questions are provided to direct attention to numerous features related to the following aspects of reading programs: (1) program authorship; (2) program philosophy; (3) readability of materials; (4)…

THE EFFECTS OF A TECHNIQUE ON THE READING ACHIEVEMENT AND SELF-CONCEPT OF DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN WERE STUDIED. THE POPULATION SAMPLED WAS DRAWN FROM TWO SCHOOLS IN A LOW SOCIOECONOMIC AREA. THE PUPILS SELECTED FROM GRADES 1 THROUGH 4 WERE EQUALLY ASSIGNED TO AN EXPERIMENTAL OR CONTROL GROUP. THE EXPERIMENTAL GROUP RECEIVED INSTRUCTION BY…

The sentences in two first grade basal readers were categorized using Joan Tough's language function classification system to determine whether lower level basal readers allowed children to use their knowledge of language functions in reading. The range of language functions and language uses in the basals was compared to those that Tough found in…